Latest news with #HealthServiceExecutive
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
31 enforcement actions issued to safeguard mental health patients
Thirty-one enforcement actions were issued last year to safeguard mental health patients and residents in 20 centres nationwide. The Mental Health Commission's Annual Report for 2024 highlighted deficiencies in some Health Service Executive facilities that inspectors say must be addressed by the executive's leadership. ''Closer attention by the HSE to underperforming approved centres would transform the national picture," said Mental Health Commission CEO John Farrelly. In 2024, overall compliance across HSE-funded adult centres was just under 81%, while independently run adult centres achieved 88.5% compliance. There was an increase in the number of high and critical non-compliances in 2024 compared to previous years. 366 non-compliances were recorded in total with critical non-compliances concentrated in a few HSE-approved centres. Six facilities achieved 100% compliance including Aidan's Residential Healthcare Unit; Ashlin Centre; Carraig Mor Centre; Grangemore Ward, St Otteran's Hospital; and St Patrick's University Hospital. Those achieving 70% overall compliance or below with regulations include Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght University Hospital (70%); Units 2, 3, 4 and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen's Hospital, Cork (66.67%); Department of Psychiatry Letterkenny University Hospital (63.33%); Elm Mount Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital (62.07%); Acute Mental Health Unit, Cork University Hospital (60%); and the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane (56.67%). Examples of non-compliances may include lapses in individualised care planning, risk management, staffing, and premises. The HSE welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) Annual Report. It acknowledged that, in some areas, compliance with regulations for premises, staffing, risk management and care planning remain areas of concern. As part of Sláintecare, the HSE said that a new regional structure will improve how services are run in each area and provide a consistent quality of care across the country. The HSE budget for mental health for 2025 is €1.458bn, 5.4% of the overall HSE budget this year. Restrictive practices are also declining in favour of a more rights-based approach for mental health patients and residents. "The decline in the use of coercive and restrictive practices represents one of the most notable human rights advances in mental health care in Ireland in recent times," said Inspector Professor Jim Lucey. "These advances demonstrate how regulation can drive important human rights improvements and result in key behavioural change in the way services are delivered." The Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body that aims to foster and promote high standards of care and good practice in the delivery of mental health services. It also ensures that the interests of those involuntarily admitted are protected under the Mental Health Act 2001.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Long Covid scheme for healthcare workers to end
A special scheme for healthcare workers living with long Covid will finish at the end of June, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has confirmed. Ms Carroll MacNeill was speaking in response to a question in the Dáil by Labour spokesperson on health Marie Sherlock, who said the response so far had been "disrespectful and downright degrading to those who gave so much and risked so much at a time of such uncertainty and risk for this country". The Minister said there are 159 Health Service Executive and Section 38 organisation staff who are currently on the scheme and in receipt of full pay. She said they will continue to be supported and the full provisions of the public service sick leave scheme will apply for anyone who remains unable to return to work. Ms Carroll MacNeill said that health workers had gone beyond the call of duty, particularly during the early days of the pandemic, when the protections were not as strong as they came to be and "when the risk was extraordinarily great". She said a temporary scheme was put in place for 12 months in 2022, and believed there were 159 people in receipt of full pay for the past five years, and that this scheme had been updated four times. Minister Carroll MacNeill said that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was clear in June 2024 that that was the final extension, saying the scheme would end at the end of this month. She said she was aware that the matter was heard at the Labour Court earlier this month, and said she awaited the court's ruling. Deputy Sherlock said that these patients contracted long Covid in the workplace, and said "the refusal to extend this a shocking lack of empathy and indeed respect for these workers". She said people had described the scheme as "a lifeline".
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
HSE moves forward with more evening and weekend healthcare after landmark deal with unions
Plans to increase the healthcare provided to patients in the evenings and weekends will be sent to senior health managers on Monday, following a landmark agreement between the Health Service Executive and unions. Under the new system, senior consultants and other staff including social workers, therapists and administrative staff, will be rostered to work five over seven days. The number of staff working evenings will also increase, as the health service seeks to move away from the typical Monday to Friday, 9-to-5 working week. Discharging of patients is expected to improve, along with more clinics, surgeries and diagnostic testing carried out over a longer week. READ MORE The agreement is a significant step to tackle chronic issues in the health service, such as the number of patients on trolleys and waiting lists. Senior health officials have consistently signalled weekend and evening work is vital to 'maximising physical capacity' of the health service, and to meet the growing demands in the sector. A memo circulated to staff said the way in which services will be expanded in each hospital will depend on local needs, and may involve a stepped increase, moving first to working five over six days. However, the memo identifies key priorities, which include provision of care over seven days, greater access to diagnostics services and equipment and the availability of more senior staff in the evenings and at weekends. The standard opening hours of injury clinics and monitoring of consultant availability on Sundays are also highlighted as priorities in the memo. The majority of staff affected by the changes are those working across a wide range of administrative, diagnostic and other support roles, and are members of Fórsa and Siptu. According to the memo, staff hired after December 16th 2008 – a large proportion of the total – would be obliged to co-operate with the changes. However, the intention is that volunteers will be sought. The document suggests six- or seven-day rostering along with evening working may suit some individuals looking to be free for family obligations or other reasons during what would traditionally have been their working hours. The latest agreement comes two years after the introduction of the new public-only consultant contract, which sought to increase the number of senior decision makers on-site at evenings and weekends. The introduction of the contract faced significant backlash from doctors' unions at the time, but the majority of consultants have since signed up. In light of the new changes, members of the country's two consultants' representative organisations will also asked to work more hours, though their existing contracts will not be altered. The process will be reviewed in October to assess the outcomes and effectiveness of the measures. Unions have previously raised concerns about staffing levels if hours of operation are extended, arguing that existing shortages in many areas will be exacerbated if the same number of workers are rostered over significantly more hours. They also point to the need for additional infrastructure, including beds. Practical concerns have also been raised about how two staff might be rostered to cover one role across a 12-hour operational period in particular situations. The memo being distributed today, however, says any changes should be dependent on the maintenance of patient and staff safety. In a statement, HSE chief executive, Bernard Gloster welcomed the agreement. 'We want to thank the unions for their engagement. This has been a priority of the Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill and the HSE, and we now look forward to implementing it, focusing on the two priorities of patient flow (ED) and the commencement of outpatient clinics outside routine hours.'
Extra.ie
21-06-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Urgent health warning to Irish holidaymakers this summer
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued a new travel health warning for Irish citizens planning trips abroad this summer. The advisory comes in response to a recent surge in reported cases of measles in several popular holiday destinations. These locations include a number of European cities as well as USA, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued a new travel health warning for Irish citizens planning trips abroad this summer. Pic: Getty Images The HSE is urging travellers to take extra precautions, including checking vaccination requirements and staying informed about local health risks before and during their travels. In a statement released this week, the Health Service wrote: 'The HSE is concerned that measles outbreaks may occur in Ireland this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where measles cases have been reported. 'The best way to protect you and your family against measles is to ensure all family members are up to date with the recommended doses of MMR vaccine before travelling abroad.' The advisory comes in response to a recent surge in reported cases of measles in several popular holiday destinations. Pic: Shutterstock The MMR vaccine is available free of charge at your GP for individuals born on or after January 1st 1978 who are not 'age-appropriately vaccinated.' Also, infants aged 6 months to under 12 months are eligible to receive an MMR vaccine, free of charge with their GP, prior to travel abroad. It is recommended to receive the vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel. These locations include a number of European cities as well as USA, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. Pic: Shutterstock Sharing further concerns, they added: 'Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among individuals who are unvaccinated. Measles cases continue to be reported in most European countries, with large outbreaks reported in some countries in 2025. In the latest measles report from ECDC the highest number of cases were reported in: France Spain Romania Netherlands Belgium 'Large numbers of cases have also been reported in the USA, Canada and some countries in Asia – including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.' More information is available here.
Irish Independent
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Swim bans lifted at Wicklow beaches in time for hottest weekend
All 11 beaches monitored for water quality by Wicklow County Council were put under a warning from Friday last week until Monday, June 16, when tests were taking. Results for these have now been published. All beaches were given a water quality status of 'excellent' except Wicklow Harbour, which was classed as 'good'. There are seven swimming areas identified under the Bathing Water Regulations 2008, in the county. These are: Bray South Promenade, Greystones South Beach, The Cove, Greystones, Silver Strand, Brittas Bay North Beach, Brittas South Beach and Clogga Beach. The council also monitors six other bathing waters (termed 'non-identified bathing waters') in the county, these are: South of Bray Harbour, Kilcoole Beach, The Murrough Wicklow, Wicklow Harbour Bathing Area, The Cove, Arklow and Arklow South Beach. The most recent tests, taken on June 16, show the following results for the water quality each of these bathing areas: Bray South Promenade: Excellent. Greystones South Beach: Excellent. The Cove, Greystones: Excellent. Silver Strand: Excellent. Brittas Bay North Beach: Excellent. Brittas South: Excellent. Clogga Beach: Excellent. South of Bray Harbour: Excellent. Kilcoole Beach: Excellent. The Murrough Wicklow: Excellent. Wicklow Harbour Bathing Area: Good. Arklow Cove: Excellent. Arklow South Beach: Excellent. The council has advised that warning notices may be issued cautioning against bathing at waters where the local authority, in consultation with the Health Service Executive, believes the water quality may present a risk to bathers' health. Notices will be published on the website and sampling for water quality takes place throughout the summer until September.
